G. David Felt

This also confirms a very important point that you, myself and many others have made to a certain member and a few others that said Tesla will never be removed as the leader in EVs. GM has moved from Concept to Production faster in the last 2 years than Tesla has done in the last Decade. 2 years ago GM has the Bolt and a concept of Lyriq. Today they have 2 versions of the Bolt on the market and a luxury level LYRIQ as well as 2 semi-luxury level GMC Hummers, truck/SUV. So 5 EVs selling now that are sold out into 2024 for 3 of these 5. GM has the Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Silverado coming to market and the Commercial Silverado starts shipping to customers this month of April. They have also started to ship the Brighdrop 600 along with the Brightdrop 400 that is already shipping. GM will end 2023 with 8 EVs plus 3 commercial EV selling and 2024 brings us the GMC Sierra EV plus GM has already announced that for Cadillac alone, they will show off a full size SUV EV, mid-size SUV EV, and a Cadillac Car EV. 3 more EV concepts. This will give GM in 2023 8 retail EVs selling, 3 commercial EVs selling, 3 concepts that we know of. This gives GM 11 selling EV models to Tesla 4 and 1 commercial version. GM has already announced additional EVs to go into production by 2025 but we are not yet aware of the brand or models. End result is that Musk is HOLDING BACK Tesla due to his distractions with Politics, Social Media (Twitter), Rockets, Tunnel boring, etc. If stockholders of Tesla do not see the distractions, then they deserve to lose their money. The Big investors need to demand his removal and get a real CEO leader in there at Tesla.

GM is having a great 1st quarter. U.S. Q1 Sales: Off to a Great Start (gm.com) General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) and its dealers delivered 603,208 vehicles in the U.S., up 18%, in the first quarter of 2023, growing market share by an estimated 1.5 points, the largest of any automaker.

Very Cool that the Canadian assembly plant in CAMI is now shipping the first of the BrightDrop EV vans to customers. They are totally sold out for 2023 and have added Ryder to their customer list with a contract to supply 4,000 BrightDrop EV 600 Vans. Order Update: Your Zevo is on the Way (gobrightdrop.com)

The Kia EV9, their first three-row seating electric SUV was released revealing a fresh thinking, design and technology for the sector and should spearhead the brands rapid transformation to a sustainable mobility solutions provider for the EV era. 640037.mp4 The EV9 is based on the Kia E-GMP or Electric Global Modular Platform and is targeted to have an all-electric range of over 541 km or 336 miles. This EV will also have an Ultra-fast 800-volt charging system allowing for 239 km or 149 miles charged in 15 minutes. Kia will introduce their Level-3 Autonomy via Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) in GT-line trim for the first model year. Kia will introduce their Auto subscription via their Kia Connect Store, enabling customers to purchase digital features and services on demand, allowing them the flexibility to choose features they want with continuous upgrades to the capabilities of the EV9 via OTA or Over the Air updates at any time. Ho Sung Song, President and CEO Kia made the following statement: “The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities. Created to meet the needs of all family members, the EV9 also spearheads Kia’s rapid transition to a sustainable mobility solutions provider, not just by its advanced EV architecture, but also through the numerous recycled and sustainable materials used in its creation.” Kia will open up the preorder web page for the EV9 in the second quarter of 2023 in select global markets such as North America, Europe, etc. more details to come as the time gets closer to opening up the preorder web site. Kia believes the EV9 delivers on six core points: Design: reshaping the SUV user experience for millennial families Guided by the brand’s 'Opposites United' design philosophy, the EV9 re-envisions the all-electric SUV with a unique balance of natural and modern elements. The ‘Bold for Nature’ design pillar, which inspires the combination of elements from the natural and material worlds, has played a pivotal role in forming the design of the EV9. Sustainability: setting new standards for responsible mobility The Kia EV9 marks a pioneering milestone as the first model to embrace the brand’s three-step Design Sustainability Strategy, initiated to phase out the use of leather, apply ten ‘must-have’ sustainable items to all new Kia models and continuously increase the use of bio-based materials such as corn, sugar cane, and natural oils. Kia’s target is to increase the proportion of recycled plastics it uses to 20 per cent by 2030. Electric drivetrain: full range of multiple zero-emission mobility solutions The EV9 features a broad choice of electric powertrain configurations based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and utilizing Kia’s fourth-generation battery technology. A 76.1-kWh battery is offered exclusively with the Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Standard model, while a 99.8-kWh battery is fitted in both the RWD Long Range and All Wheel Drive (AWD) variants. Highway Driving Pilot: unlocking conditional Level 3 autonomy The EV9 will take a significant step towards full autonomy. Key to achieving this is Kia’s Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) system, which will provide the EV9 with conditional Level 3 autonomous driving. Fifteen sensors, including two lidars, enable it to scan for and detect objects in a full 360-degree field of view, enabling it to detect and react to the road and other users to prevent potential collisions. Kia Connect Store: update your EV9 anytime anywhere Kia’s fresh thinking as to what a family SUV should be extends to how customers can select the equipment specification of their EV9. Beyond the standard features of the EV9, the Kia Connect Store offers a wide array of options. This enables customers to keep their EV9 constantly updated by upgrading the SUV’s digital features and services without any need to take the vehicle to a dealership. The EV9’s ‘Digital Pattern Lighting Grille’ technology can be further enhanced with the addition of the ‘Lighting Pattern’ feature. Customers can also specify additional performance for the AWD EV9 with an optional Boost feature unlocks an extra 100 Nm of torque for the electric motor for a more thrilling and dynamic driving experience. Safety and convenience: designed and engineered to enhance the driving experience of all occupants The EV9’s numerous additional features start with the ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that include Remote Smart Park Assist 2 (RSPA 2). Be in or out of the auto, this system will self-park via the Kia Smart Key called Didital Key 2. The EV9 also includes Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), designed to aid drivers in potentially dangerous scenarios. The Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC) ensures safe driving on highways and automobile-only roads, while Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) enables lane changes and uses a hands-on detection (HOD) sensor to ensure driver engagement. In addition, the EV9 offers pre- and post-driving safety and convenience with features such as Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance (RCCA) and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA). Finally, Digital Key 2 utilizes Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology, allowing users to open and start their car using their smartphone, even when the key is in their pocket or bag – another first for Kia. The interior of the EV9 is elegantly simple, user-friendly, and offers generous storage options, including a large base compartment at the center console. The front seats' mesh headrests improve comfort and child monitoring. The ‘Panoramic wide display’, which brings together a 12.3-inch cluster display, a 5-inch segment display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment system display, offers effortless vehicle function control as well as efficient delivery of information. Hidden type touch buttons beneath provide a start/stop function along with infotainment system as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control. The EV9's extended high-definition infotainment system display immerses occupants in a seamless digital experience. The EV9’s infotainment system, Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), introduces new features such as quick control, integrated search, and new EV mode, thus greatly improving driver usability and convenience. In particular, the new EV mode allows drivers to check and control all EV-specific information and functionalities on a single page. What’s more, the feature allows drivers to freely edit and configure the interface in a widget-style manner, according to their own preferences. Kia provided in their press release the following quick brief information sheet: Conversion to U.S. measurements are as follows: Length = 197.2 inches Width = 78 inches Height = 69 inches Wheelbase = 122 inches Battery Range = 336 miles Max motor output = 380 HP Max Torque = 443 lb-ft or 519 lb-ft with boost mode purchased via Kia Connect. Kia has setup a global web site to let anyone interested in the EV9 explore further the EV9 bold vision of the future. The Kia EV9 | Kia Global Brand Site | Movement that inspires The EV9 will make its physical debut at the Seoul Mobility Show 2023 end of March and at the New York International Auto Show early April. Kia will embark on a series of global campaign activities that will speak to the company's commitment to innovation and their vision for a sustainable, efficient and convenient future with the following Global Campaign called: ‘Here to reshape the way we move’ View full article

Just cause one does not do a joke on the 1st does not mean one cannot still do it. this is very cool as it is the strongest home charger yet. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/wattsaving-world-s-first-dc-fast-charger-for-home/coming_soon?fbclid=PAAaa5yy70_Tcpocsy0dVEamawjscHoq1VK5ZfGcD3XbVbIdnY-3mtFm71eys_aem_AeNCi3w3dU3Awas4JQFaDKXSrKAasnMwC5lH5BDELqatBMnIyOfU6vLOmdkicL_sW0gvUox4eCBqMieyNAxRqatqLc-12QjakN6St-rcFdxIzSM0wmpyeZ8IrsdKYeK36nw

This will be interesting to watch. https://gmauthority.com/blog/2023/04/brace-yourself-gm-pre-announces-corvette-zr2-shooting-brake/

Very interesting information: Everything you need to know about the IRS's new EV tax credit guidance | Electrek Very interesting read for those wondering about prices on EVs. Wright's Law Spells Doom For Legacy Auto Around The World - CleanTechnica

Ouch, this will happen around the world. https://electrek.co/2023/04/01/ice-car-values-plummet-in-china-and-it-is-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine/

You really have no sense of comparing Apple to Apple. LYRIC starts as a RWD only Model. Polestar starts as an AWD Model. LYRIC RWD models LYRIC AWD models Polestar AWD models PoleStar AWD model fully loaded is 517hp/671 lb-ft of torque LYRIC Sport AWD Level 3 fully loaded model This type of comparison shows that the Polestar has considerable more torque than the LYRIC but over all most will see the LYRIC as a value luxury deal compared to the Polestar. Final details are not set yet, so much can change including the price as Polestar is going to have to explain how they can justify the price.

Great Cover of Whitney Houston by Aliee before she made it big in Korea.

Awesome Guitar player and singer.

Here is another woman, actually born and raised here in the U.S. as her parents emigrated here for a better life for her and her siblings. She loved to sing but found it hard to break into the U.S. music business, so went back to Korean and is now the one of the biggest singers there. Ailee is considered the Beyonce of Korea.

Listening to the K-Pop song Going Crazy which is about a one-sided love. The Woman in the video is Min Hyo-rin who is now a big star, but this was her first break into Music with the actual singer Song Ji-Eun. This is Min Hyo-rin today: Crazy how the actresses and actors in Korea feel they have to be a triple threat in that they sing, dance and act and in some cases some even play instruments. Amazing talent in the very competitive business.

Awesome song

Popped up on YouTube Music, never heard of them before but not bad.

Have to say I like the Old 1978 Jeep Cherokee on a modern powertrain.

Clearly why they are doing their North America Tour to introduce folks to the brand. It will be interesting to see if people go for it or not. I will go and check it out when they are here. View the Polestar 3 at Polestar Bellevue 28 April 2023, 11.00 AM - 30 April 2023, 07.00 PM PDT

Clearly a take on Footloose. while pointing to so many other dance movies. All about the dance! A Muse day for me as I work

Interesting you asked. They point to the 2020 model year in their long term reviews of 3 year old autos. I would have to say older stuff is not as good as newer stuff and with the battle on for quality, your probably right to avoid buying a 5 to 7 year old Kia versus a 3 year old Kia. 2020 Kia Optima Prices, Reviews, & Pictures | U.S. News (usnews.com) The 2020 Kia Optima has a predicted reliability score of 83 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average. At least not everyone is only looking at Trucks/SUVs, still some that are looking to take classic name plates and try to make them modern. Will be interesting in the EV market if we ever see a Marauder come back as Ford did make sure they had the name filed as the owner of that car name.

At the local Fred Meyers today. Would take this over the Italian stuff. Someone traded it in at my local Cadillac Dealership.

Largest NA lithium deposits found. Best part is the mineral can be harvested in 200,000 tons per day. Charged EVs | ABTC describes huge lithium deposits at its Tonopah Flats property in Nevada - Charged EVs

Ouch for Tesla, seems their batteries are not going to qualify for the IRA tax break. If You're an EV Fan, the Government Has News You Might Hate - TheStreet

WOW, JD Powers says the Kia is the most reliable Mid-Size Sedan. Most Reliable Midsize Car Isn't a Honda or Toyota, Says JD Power (motorbiscuit.com) Too Funny, but even Tesla is now saying they do not need the Truck. Europe and Asia has pretty much killed it as is due to it not conforming to pedestrian safety, so this really only leaves the U.S. market for a truck that will be 6 figures and at this point, many better options are out or coming out before this truck hits the market. The whole story is based on information from Tesla. LOL Why We No Longer Need The Tesla Cybertruck Anymore In 2023 (hotcars.com)

@oldshurst442 @ccap41 @riviera74 @trinacriabob Saw this and thought of you guys. I have to say this is a great modern update on the Mercury Marauder. Finally, This Reimagined Mercury Marauder Looks Mean Enough To Live Up To Its Name (hotcars.com)